Newsom signs DoII bills into lEw
1506 requires state-led investigation in police shooting of unarmed people
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill co-authored by state Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that requires the California Attorney General to investigate police killings of unarmed civilians — removing the duty from local officials.
Senate Bill 1506, signed by Newsom on Wednesday, requires the state-led investigation in police shootings of unarmed people and would allow local government to request investigations into other killings. It was written by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento, and passed the Legislature with overwhelming support.
“Across our nation and state today there are far too many fatal police shootings, especially those
involving people of color, and they each must receive a fair and impartial review,” Sen. Dodd said in a press release on Wednesday. “An independent investigation by the Attorney General is the best way to ensure justice in these cases. I thank Gov. Newsom for signing this into law.”
Dodd spoke more about the bill with the Times-Herald on Thursday morning.
“I think this is a step forward and this an important bill, especially locally,” Dodd said. “With (Solano County District Attorney) Krishna Abrams being conflicted in this, we needed an investigation that is meaningful but also one that has the trust of the community.”
The bill is one of several police reform bills offered this year in response to the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota and police shootings across California. Among them is the recent case of Sean Monterrosa, 22, who was killed by Vallejo police June 2 after VPD officer Jarrett Tonn said he mistook a hammer Monterrosa was carrying for a gun. The shooting
sparked protests and calls for an independent investigation.
Abrams recused herself and her office from the investigations and shooting deaths of Monterrosa as well as Willie McCoy. McCoy was shot and killed in February of 2019.
“We need a new culture and we need to keep the community safe,” Dodd said. “How we do that is have the trust of the community and combine it with a new 21st century policing that does not include the shooting of unarmed people.”
Dodd made it very clear the bill is for people that have been shot unarmed. The bill is not for someone who fires at a police officer and then has an officer return fire on them.
There have been 19 officer-involved shootings in Vallejo since 2010, the most recent one being Monterrosa this past summer. The Vallejo Police Department came under more scrutiny when it was discovered evidence from the Monterrosa shooting was destroyed, including the windshield of the vehicle involved in the incident.
Soon after the Monterrosa shooting, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi publicly called for the FBI to investigate the shooting.
On Thursday afternoon Vallejo Police Officer Ryan McMahon was given his termination notice. The Notice of Termination was issued after an Internal Affairs investigation concluded, among other things, that McMahon violated department policies by engaging in unsafe conduct and neglect for basic firearm safety.
Despite the scrutiny, Dodd is still confident in Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams.
“I have complete trust and faith in Shawny Williams. Rome wasn’t built overnight,” Dodd said. “I’ve seen a lot of people impatient with the changes he’s seeking for. He’s trying to get control of the police department and that’s been quite tough. I’d like to see a strong police union and I’d like to see them work more closely.
“Whatever happened, it’s affected all of those who have been involved,” Dodd continued. “The only way to make changes is together. There have been errors in the past and we have to move past them.”